Harwood

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW

The 2009 Action Buzz Garden season is underway! We have converted our 21 raised beds from straw bale to wood and most gardeners have their plants in the ground. Greens, herbs, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, flowers and oh so much more can be seen as the space begins to overflow with green.

We are moving toward more water independence with the gracious cooperation of our neighbors, the Placencios. Our water tanks are in place and Garden Manager Marino Chavez has installed the parts necessary to begin harvesting from two canales. Time to sing, dance and pray for rain!

Check out our two short videos showing how the garden was built and how the Wells Park Community Center kids participating in or After School Art Program built and installed worm bins on site.

A very special thanks to the Albert I. Pierce Foundation for another year of funding! The foundation has been an enthusiastic supporter of the garden and helps to pay for our Garden Manager, raised bed conversions, water harvesting and the worm composting bins.

INTERVIEW 

"Featured Community Garden: Action Buzz Neighborhood Garden"

with Wade Patterson, Director of Arts and Community Development at The Harwood, written by KT LaBadie

The Action Buzz Neighborhood Garden, located at 1255 8th Street, just celebrated it second successful growing season.  This once vacant lot in the historic Wells Park/Sawmill neighborhood of Albuquerque is now an oasis of green and a place for community members to gather.  

To learn more about the establishment of this garden and its success, I talked with landowner Dory Wegrzyn and Wade Patterson, Director of Arts and Community Development for the neighboring Harwood Art Center.

What's the history of this project?  Where did the idea for this community garden come from and who was involved in its implementation?... (read the interview)

RECENT EVENTS at The Buzz Garden:

Garden Work Day and Open House. Join us at the Action Buzz Garden as we wake up the beds. Come sign up for a plot, get dirty, or just check out the project.

Water Works. From hand watering to automated drip systems, this workshop covers the basics of how it all works in a language the rest of us can understand. Download the water works handouts here.

More Secrets of Soil plus Planting Tips You Can Use! Come learn about how to prepare your earth and plant for a great harvest. Download the soil building handouts here.

Make a Plan! It may seem early, but February is a great time to begin planning this year’s garden. Download the planning handouts here.

Leave no dirt behind! Every bit of the earth counts, so learn how to make it work for you.  Details.

Interested in Urban Chickens?  We are! Click here to learn about our most recent garden event.

HISTORY

In the spring of 2007, the Harwood partnered with the owner of a vacant residential lot in the Wells Park neighborhood to create a model for reclaiming neglected spaces. The overarching goal was to turn a negative land use (the space had been used for drug-related activities and illegal dumping) into a positive social space that benefited the entire community.

The resulting Wells Park/Sawmill Neighborhood Gardens provides opportunities for residents to access quality soil and water for growing food and also serves as a social gathering space. Public programming at the garden includes community events and workshops on topics such as nutrition, soil building, foodways, cooking and food preservation, and sustainable community development. The gathering space is further enhanced through public art projects created by youth participating in our Mayor’s Art Summer Institute and Wells Park After School Program.

Located along 8th Street NW just a couple blocks north of Mountain Rd., garden plots are reserved for one year on a first come/first serve basis. If you have an interest in gardening, want to volunteer your time, or have materials to contribute, please contact Wade Patterson or call 242-6367 ext. 119.

This project has been generously supported by: the Wells Park Neighborhood Association, the Sawmill/Wells Park MRA Plan Education Committee, the Sawmill Community Land Trust, the Sawmill Area Neighborhood Association, the Albuquerque Partnership, Plants of the Southwest, and numerous individual that have contributed time, resources and money.